WhatsApp has clarified the Indian Courts that eventually non-complying users’ accounts will be deleted. Further, the Facebook-owned company stood its ground and against instructions to the contrary did not extend the deadline for accepting the new privacy policy.
WhatsApp, on its part, has been constantly ‘pestering’ its users with status messages, in-app banners, and other ways to clarify the changes and encouraging them to accept the updated privacy policy.
The central government challenged the app that its changes are in violation of the nation’s Information Technology Act, 2020.
Are there any risks in accepting the new changes?
Right off the bat, with multinational juggernauts like WhatsApp there are no grey areas. In other words, they will do what they set out in their privacy policy and nothing outside of it.
Also read: WhatsApp’s controversial new privacy policy goes live, Know what will happen to your account
Since WhatsApp is being used to talk to businesses, thus the company “want to make this easier and better if you choose to message with businesses.” (source)
The root of all confusion is that we users are looking at this from our perspective that talking to a person or a business is same but WhatsApp thinks otherwise, “Messaging with businesses is different than messaging with your family or friends”
Thus, to keep accessing the critical features of WhatsApp to communicate discreetly with people the updated privacy policy may be accepted.
Also read: Agree to WhatsApp else they’ll cripple your app
But, then, chats with business accounts may be avoided or kept strictly professional in words and tone. In other words, treat WhatsApp Business chats are public letters and you should be fine.